Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at bantamweight Cody Garbrandt as he takes on UFC veteran Marcus Brimage at UFC 182. Cody “No Love” Garbrandt Hometown: Unrichsville, Ohio Age: 23 Height: 5’7” Reach: 68” Weight Class: Bantamweight Camp: Team Alpha Male Career Record: 5-0 Key Wins: None Key Losses: None Background The latest fighter out of Sacramento based fight camp Team Alpha, Cody Garbrandt is set to make his UFC debut. The 23-year old from Ohio comes from an amateur boxing background where he amassed an impressive 32-1 record. Garbrandt took on his first professional MMA fight only two years ago. He has won all five of his pro fights via knockout or TKO within the first six minutes. Strengths
- Excellent amateur boxing background
- All around good striker
- Solid combination striking to both head and the body
- Very good power for the division with one punch knockout power in right hand
- Effective clinch fighting
- Works well for takedowns when in the clinch
- Good footwork
Weaknesses
- Relies a bit too much on boxing as opposed to consistent use of leg kicks
- Not as comfortable fighting at long range
- Grappling appears to be weak area of his game
- Ground and pound strength needs improvement
- Poor level of competition faced Endurance is an unknown
Matchup with Marcus Brimage This fight has really gone on the radar for the year’s first UFC event. “No Love” Garbrandt is an exciting, undefeated prospect facing off against a solid veteran in Marcus Brimage. Both of these fighters excel in the standup. Brimage has excellent footwork and is really quick on his feet. He is a capable boxer, but also showed in his last fight that he has strong leg kicks as evidenced by his head kick knockout win over Jumabieke Tuerxun. Garbrandt has an excellent amateur boxing background and is the heavier puncher of the two fighters. While Brimage will look to move in and out, he could be exposed in the clinch by Garbrandt who is capable of delivering powerful knee strikes. Garbrandt also has the advantage in the grappling. Brimage has been stifled in past fights by fighters who are capable of putting him on his back. While the Team Alpha Male fighter will be facing the toughest opponent of his career, he has the well-rounded ability to give Brimage trouble and get a win in his UFC debut. As nearly a 2 to 1 underdog at UFC 182, “No Love” is certainly a fighter to remember when placing your bets for Saturday’s fight card. UFC Ceiling Cody Garbrandt is yet another exciting prospect from a fight camp that has become a prospect factory. “No Love” has the technical striking and power punching to give most of the UFC’s bantamweight division problems. His wrestling is decent at this point, but training with high end MMA wrestlers like Chad Mendes, Lance Palmer, and the rest of the stable of Team Alpha Male, his ability to control where fights take place should improve over time. Garbrandt hasn’t shown much grappling prowess yet or an ability to lock in submissions. This is really the key piece he needs to work on so that his opponents are unable to key in on one specific area to beat him. Overall, Garbrandt is more than capable of holding his own in the UFC and likely will be a top 15 fighter in the division within the next couple years. He will need to further improve his wrestling and grappling skills to be a future title contender. Fight Film Check out Cody Garbrandt in some of his recent fights: Cody Garbrandt vs. Dominic Mazzotta
Cody Garbrandt vs. James Porter
Cody Garbrandt vs. Charles Stanford